Regulation mechanism for exterior rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

The regulating mechanism comprises a base member ( 2 ), which can be coupled to the mounting ( 1 ), and a cover ( 3 ), in which a mirror mounting plate ( 31 ), provided with a mirror glass ( 35 ), is assembled. The mounting ( 1 ), and/or the cover ( 3 ), are provided with positioning means ( 9, 26; 37, 38; 42 ) of the mirror mounting plate ( 31 ), enabling said plate ( 31 ) to be positioned in any of the positions habitually used, either manually or through a mechanical or electrical control device. The base member ( 2 ) and the cover ( 3 ) or the base member ( 2 ) and the mirror mounting plate ( 31 ) have respective and complementary dampening means which comprise, in the base member ( 2 ), dampening means ( 32 ), and in the cover ( 3 ), or in the mirror mounting plate ( 31 ), a dampening extension ( 23 ).

This Application is a 371 of PCT/ES02/00117, filed Mar. 14, 2002; thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL SECTOR OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a regulating mechanism for exterior rearview mirrors of motor vehicles, applicable to rear view mirrors, of thetype made up of a support-holder and a support arm, mutually coupled andsecured to the vehicle structure and of a mounting which can be coupledto the support arm, the regulating mechanism comprising a base memberand a cover, in which the base member is coupled to the mounting,whereas the cover is coupled to the base member and is adapted forreceiving a mirror mounting plate onto which a mirror glass isassembled, all being arranged in such a way that the user may positionthe mirror in any of the positions habitually used, whether manually orby means of a mechanical or electrical control device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous embodiments of regulating mechanisms for exterior rear viewmirrors of motor vehicles are known of the type described earlier. Thebase member secured to the mirror mounting and the cover to be coupledto the base member of said mechanisms are described below. In general,the base member has a generally spherical segment shape with a closedsmaller base and with an open larger base adapted for receiving thecover as if it were a knuckle, the smaller base of the base member andthe cover having respective and complementary positioning means of thecover with respect to the base and thus positioning the mirror mountingplate and the mirror glass as regards the mounting. Furthermore, thebase member and the cover are provided with vibration dampening means,which essentially consist of the elastic deformation of the base memberabout the cover, the main purpose of which is to absorb the vibrationscaused by the vehicle when in motion being transmitted to the mirrormounting plate, vibrations which affect the stability of the image givenby the mirror assembled onto the same and, as a consequence, making thedriving of the motor vehicle difficult.

A known form of embodiment of positioning means of the cover guided bymeans of a mechanical control device through cables, is described below.The smaller base of the base member is fitted with an outwardly directedperpendicular centred protuberance and has securing means at the ends ofthe steel cable sheath of the control cables, whereas the cover isfitted with a central portion provided with securing means of the endsof the steel cable ends. In addition, the centred protuberance of thebase member and the central portion of the cover are provided withrespective and complementary support means, adapted in such a way thatwhen the user acts on the control device, it is transmitted through thecontrol cables to the cover, which, by pivoting over the support meansthen occupies the desired position.

In the known embodiments of regulating mechanisms the positioning meansand dampening means are arranged on the base member and on the cover,which presents the drawbacks described below. For a specific base memberand cover the dampening means operate in suitable conditions up tospecific dimensions of the mirror mounting plate secured to the cover,but from which the dampening means do not succeed in sufficientlyabsorbing the vibrations transmitted to the mirror mounting platebecause of the vehicle's motion, even when the vehicle is stationary,and occurs under certain inoperative conditions; as a consequence of theprevious drawback, several models of base member and cover suited to themirror mounting assembly dimensions are needed, leading to a costlyregulating mechanism.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The regulating mechanism for exterior rear view mirrors of motorvehicles object of the invention comprises

-   -   a base member which can be coupled to the mounting;    -   a cover into which a mirror mounting plate provided with a        mirror glass is assembled;    -   positioning means of the mirror mounting plate with respect to        the mounting arranged in the mounting and/or in the cover    -   dampening means of the vibrations of the mirror mounting plate,        caused by the vehicle when in motion, said dampening means being        arranged in a lateral wall of the base member and in the cover        or in the mirror mounting plate;    -   a through hole in said base member adapted for the passing        through of the positioning means of the mounting; and

It is also characteristic of the regulating mechanism object of theinvention the fact that the dampening means comprise, on the lateralwall of the base member a plurality of slots, which originating on thehole edge, extend perpendicularly to the same, whereas on the cover, oron the mirror mounting plate, there is a dampening extension adapted forsupporting by putting pressure on the dampening flaps of the basemember.

According to another feature of the regulating mechanism of theinvention, the base member has a generally spherical segment shape.

The features of the regulating mechanism for exterior rear view mirrorsof motor vehicles according to the invention described earlier, offer aninnovative and very economical solution to the drawbacks that knownembodiments of regulating mechanisms present, in which the positioningmeans are arranged about the base member and on the cover itself. In theregulating mechanism of the invention, the fact that the positioningmeans are arranged in the mounting and/or in the cover, offers theadvantages which are detailed below. The cover's resting on themounting, unlike the known embodiments of regulating mechanisms in whichthe cover rests on the base member, enables the base member to solelycarry out dampening functions of the vibrations transmitted to themirror mounting plate, as for the positioning means of the mirrormounting plate and the vibration dampening means on distinct elements;on the other hand, and as a consequence, the base member can adopt aconfiguration and dimensions corresponding to those of the cover or themirror mounting plate, all of this enabling the dempaning means to actefficiently on rear view mirrors fitted with mirrors of largedimensions, as occurs, for example, with industrial transport vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Three forms of embodiment of the regulating mechanism for exterior rearview mirrors of motor vehicles object of the invention are illustratedin the attached drawings by way of non-limiting example: a first form ofembodiment in which the mechanism is guided by a mechanical controldevice; a second form of embodiment of the mechanism guided by means ofan electrical control device; and a third form of embodiment with manualguiding:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, a side view and plan view, of thepositioning means in the mounting of an exterior rear view mirror, ofthe first form of embodiment of the mechanism of the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are, respectively, a side view and a plan view, of thebase member of the first form of embodiment of the mechanism of theinvention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a side view and a plan view, of thecover of the first form of embodiment of the mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the positioning means of the mounting,the base member and the cover of the first form of embodiment of themechanism of the invention, prior to coupling;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first form of embodiment of themechanism of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a section view of the first form of embodiment of themechanism of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a section view of the second form of embodiment of themechanism of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a section view of the third form of embodiment of themechanism of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT EXAMPLE

The first form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism for exteriorrear view mirrors of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, wherein theguiding of the mechanism is carried out by a mechanical control device,by means of control cables. The regulating mechanism described, isapplicable to an exterior rear view mirror, of the type comprising asupport arm and a support-holder, which can be mutually coupled andsecured to the vehicle structure, not represented here, and a mounting1, capable of being coupled to the support arm, and of which acorresponding portion at the bottom of the same is represented in FIGS.1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. The regulating mechanism according to the inventioncomprises a base member 2 and a cover 3 which can be coupled to eachother and with the mounting 1 as is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The mounting 1 is provided with an outwardly directed protuberance 4 andequipped with three through orifices 5, distributed as can beappreciated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, each orifice 5 being adapted forreceiving a control cable 6, made up of a steel cable 7 and a sheath 8,so that the corresponding end of the sheath 8 is secured, at the sametime allowing the free passing in both directions of the steel cable 7,as detailed in FIG. 9, the control cables 6 connecting the manualregulating mechanism according to the invention to the control device inthe vehicle's interior, not shown here. The protuberance 4 also haspositioning means 9 which comprise three extensions 10 with respectiveslots 11 at its ends, distributed according to the detail in FIGS. 1, 2and 7, and a centred cylindrical extension 12, fitted with asemi-spherical finishing at its end, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 1and 9.

In FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 it can be appreciated that the base member 2essentially has a generally spherical segment shape with a base memberof smaller diameter 13 and a base of greater diameter 14, both of whichare open. The smaller diameter base 13 has a through orifice 34 adaptedfor allowing the protuberance 4 of the mounting 1 to pass through it,and the orifice 34 being provided with an outwardly directed rim 15,detailed in perspective view in FIG. 7, and in plan and section view, inFIGS. 4 and 9 respectively, and with three evenly distributedprotuberances 16, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 4 and 7, dimensioned tobe tightly fitted in respective slots 17 of the protuberance 4 of themounting 1 as detailed in FIG. 9, all being adapted in such a way thatonce the base member 2 is coupled to the protuberance 4 of mounting 1,by means of said protuberances 16 and slots 17, the base member 2maintains its relative position with respect to mounting 1.

In FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 it can be observed that the base member 2 hasdampening means 19 on its lateral wall 18, composed of eight identicaland evenly distributed slots 20 which, starting from the edge of thegreater diameter base 14, extend perpendicularly with respect to thesmaller diameter base 13, fitted with a V-shaped expansion at its outerend, thus shaping eight dampening flaps 32.

The cover 3 comprises a central portion 22 and a dampening extension 23as if it were an outer wall, as can be observed in FIGS. 5 to 9. Thecentral portion 22 is provided with slots 24 adapted for receiving arespective terminal 25 the ends of the steel cables 8 of the controlcables 6 being provided thereof, as detailed in FIG. 9, and positioningmeans 26, complementary to positioning means 9, of mounting 1. Thepositioning means 26 comprise through orifices 27 provided withrespective transversal shafts 28, illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, adaptedfor receiving corresponding extensions 10 of the mounting 1 and so thatthe transversal shafts 28 are slotted into the grooves 11 of saidextensions, as detailed in FIGS. 8 and 9, and a central orifice 33adapted for receiving the centred extension 12 of the mounting 1, asdetailed in FIG. 9. The dampening extension 23 of the cover 3 presents arotating outline adapted for being tightly received in the interior ofthe base member 2, resting on the dampening flaps 32 of its lateral wall18 and in the way outlined in FIGS. 8 and 9. The outer edge 29 of thecover 3 is provided with four evenly distributed identical radialfastening extensions 30, as can be observed in FIGS. 6 to 8, intendedfor securing a mirror mounting plate 31, represented diagrammatically bymeans of dotted lines in FIG. 9.

The operation of the first form of embodiment of the regulatingmechanism for rear view mirrors of motor vehicles is described in detailbelow. Having secured the ends of the sheaths 8 of the control cables 6to the orifices 5 of the protuberance 4 of the mounting 1 of theexterior rear view mirror, and once the base member 2 is coupled to theprotuberance 4 of the mounting 1 by means of the protuberances 16 andslots 17 of which they are respectively provided, and having secured theends of the steel cables 7 of the control cables 6 to the slots 24 ofthe cover 3, as detailed in FIG. 9, the dampening extension 23 of thecover 3 rests on the dampening flaps 32 of the base member 2. In theseconditions the regulating mechanism can be guided from the controldevice so that the cover 3, as well as the mirror mounting plate 31 andthe mirror glass 35 assembled within, can occupy with respect to themounting 1, any position among those habitually used. The vibrationsproduced by the vehicle in motion that reach the mounting 1 of the rearview mirror, are absorbed by the absorbing extension 23 of the cover 3with the absorbing flaps 32 of the base member 2, by the elasticdeformation of the absorbing flaps 32, resulting in the mirror mountingplate being free of the action of said vibrations and consequentlywithout the image provided by the mirror glass 35 assembled in the samebeing affected.

It should be emphasised at this point that the generally sphericalsegment shape given to the base member 2 is given for embodiment examplepurposes only, since, as is characteristic of the invention, the factthat the positioning means 9 and 26 of the cover 3 are arranged in themounting 1 and in the cover itself 3, it enables the base member 2 tosolely carry out dampening functions, for which it can adopt anysuitable configuration in relation to the dimensions of the mirrormounting plate assembled in the cover; to be exact, the dampening flapsof the base member will be arranged in such a way that they receive acorresponding dampening extension of the cover.

In FIG. 10, the second form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism ofthe invention is shown, in which the guiding of same is done by means ofan electrical control device, not represented. For the purposes ofsimplification, in the description that follows of the second form ofembodiment of the mechanism of the invention, numerical references fromthe first form of embodiment are used to represent equivalent elements.

The second form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism of theinvention comprises a base member 2, a cover 3 and a mirror mountingplate 31 which can be coupled to each other and with a mounting 1, asrepresented in FIG. 10. The mounting 1 has coupling extensions 36 whichare adapted for the coupling of the base member 2, positioning meansconsisting of securing means 37 adapted for the securing of the cover 3provided with an electrical positioner 38 of the mirror mounting plate31, and orifices, not shown, to allow for the passing through of theelectrical conductors of the positioner 38. The base member 2 has anopen smaller base 13 and an open larger base 14, the smaller base 13being provided with a through orifice 34 to enable the securingextensions 37 and the electrical conductors of the electrical positioner38 to pass through, and a lateral wall 18 provided with dampening means,not shown, consisting of dampening flaps similar to the dampening flaps32 represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 from the first form of embodiment of theregulating mechanism of the invention. The mirror mounting plate 31comprises a dampening extension 23 adapted for being received by thebase member 2, resting on the dampening flaps of the lateral wall 18.

In this second form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism of theinvention, and as in the first form of embodiment, the base member 2only performs a dampening function, and that is because the positioningmeans of the mirror mounting plate 31 are arranged in the cover 3 and inthe mounting 1, as can be appreciated in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 11 the third form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism ofthe invention is represented, with manual guiding. Also, forsimplification purposes of the description which follows of the thirdform of embodiment of the mechanism of the invention, numericalreferences from the first form of embodiment are used to representfunctionally similar elements.

The third form of embodiment of the regulating mechanism of theinvention comprises a base member 2, a cover 3 and a mirror mountingplate 31 which can be coupled to each other and with a mounting 1, asrepresented in FIG. 11. The mounting 1 has an outwardly directedtruncated cone protuberance 39 and is fitted at its outer end with aspherical slot 40, adapted for receiving the cover and elastic elements41 being positioned between the spherical slot 40 and the cover 3. Thebase member 2 has an open smaller base member 13 and an open larger basemember 14, the smaller base member 13 being provided with a throughorifice 34 for the truncated cone protuberance to pass through, and alateral wall 18 with dampening means, not represented, consisting ofdampening flaps similar to the dampening flaps 32 represented in FIGS. 3and 4 of the first form of embodiment of the mechanism of the invention.The cover 3 has positioning means of the mirror mounting plate 31consisting of a crossed line 42. The mirror mounting plate 31 comprisesa dampening extension 23 adapted for being tightly fitted into the basemember 2, resting on the dampening flaps of the lateral wall 18.

In this third form of embodiment of the mechanism of the invention, thebase member again only performs a dampening function as the positioningmeans of the mirror mounting plate 31 are arranged in the cover 3, ascan be appreciated in FIG. 11.

1. A regulating mechanism for exterior rear view mirrors of motorvehicles, comprising: a base member (2) that can be coupled to amounting (1); a cover (3) in which a mirror mounting plate (31) providedwith a mirror glass (35) is assembled; positioning means (9, 26; 37, 38;42) of the mirror mounting plate (31) with respect to the mounting (1)arranged in the mounting (1) and/or in the cover (3); dampening means(23, 32) of vibrations from the mirror mounting plate (31) produced bythe vehicle in motion, said dampening means (23, 32) arranged in alateral wall (18) of the base member (2) and in the cover (3) or in themirror mounting plate (31), a through orifice (34) in said base member(2) adapted for the passing through of the positioning means (9; 37) ofthe mounting; and an aperture in said base member (2) adapted forreceiving, as if it were a knuckle, the cover (3) or the mirror mountingplate (31), wherein the dampening means comprise, in said the lateralwall (18) of the base member (2) a plurality of slots (20) which,starting from the edge of the aperture, extend perpendicularly to thesame, configuring a plurality of dampening flaps (32), whereas in thecover (3) or in the mirror mounting plate (31) they comprise a dampeningextension (23) adapted for resting and putting pressure on the dampeningflaps (32) of the base member (2).
 2. The regulating mechanism accordingto claim 1, wherein said lateral wall comprises eight identical andevenly distributed slots (20) fitted with a V-shaped expansion at itsouter end, shaping eight dampening flaps (32).
 3. The regulatingmechanism according to claim 1, wherein the orifice (34) is providedwith an outwardly directed rim (15) and with evenly distributedprotuberances (16) to be tightly fitted in respective slots (17) of aprotuberance (4) of the mounting.